By his calculations, Jiaye shouldn't have found the secret passage yet—let alone stolen anything.
So the Violet-Gold Dragonbone should still be where it was.
He still had plenty of time to act tonight!
At that thought, Black unexpectedly remembered Loyre.
He wondered how that woman was doing in her cell.
But the magic scrolls' effects couldn't last forever.
She'd be waiting for the perfect moment to assassinate Empress Elizabeth.
Just as long as it's not tonight.
Black believed his luck couldn't be that bad.
****
The night was clear, the moon full, the sea calm. A cool breeze drifted by—perfect for moon-gazing.
Laughter echoed across the deck. Someone had started it, and soon, others followed.
An open space was cleared, filled with tea, fruits, sweets—nobles chatting, sipping tea under the moonlight. A rare luxury.
Occasionally, whispers about Miss Lily's scandal floated by.
Ordinary nobles wouldn't dare mock a duchess's daughter.
But here? Everyone was at least a count's heir—raised in high society.
"Tsk tsk. The evils of feudalism!"
Black lurked in a dark corner of the cabin, using shadows to conceal himself.
The sight of delicate pastries made his stomach growl again.
His dinner tonight? A few moldy breads.
These noble banquets—these pampered aristocrats—shouldn't belong on the Hodir.
This was a dragon-slaying mission, not a vacation.
But a closer look at their identities revealed the truth:
These weren't ordinary nobles.
They were descendants of dragon-slaying families—raised from childhood with elite dragon-hunting education, nurtured with rare treasures.
Each was exceptionally strong.
Even plump Lily and Marsha were nearly Level 30—Healers and Summoners.
In a fight, two Blacks wouldn't last ten seconds against Lily.
They were here for one reason:
Their duty.
Yes, they were spoiled, extravagant.
But they had principles:
When dragons came, they stood in front of the common people.
Black scanned the deck—spotting several familiar faces.
Elaina sat quietly, listening to gossip, expression cold.
She looked upset—eating sweets like a hamster, one by one.
As a neglected bastard daughter, no one paid her much attention.
She was invisible.
In contrast, Krystin—the Church's Saintess and genius Priestess—was surrounded.
Men and women alike fawned over her, subtly flattering.
Krystin, used to this adoration, didn't seem flustered.
A soft smile always on her lips, nodding, even equalizing her responses—making everyone feel special.
Even if fake, it felt warm.
Truly the Saintess.
Yet, sharp-eyed Black noticed the fatigue in her eyes.
Being a star wasn't easy.
This wasn't just a party.
It was social climbing—what nobles loved most.
Through idle chat and flattery, they pleased the powerful—gaining future rewards.
In the upper class, only interests exist—no friends.
The other side of the deck was quieter.
Black glanced over—curious.
Only two sat there: Second Princess Alice and her maid.
Logically, Alice—a royal princess—should be swarmed with admirers.
Yet, no one dared speak to her.
Given her personality, Black found it normal.
Alice was spoiled, domineering—almost reclusive.
Since childhood, only her personal maid and her red sword kept her company.
It wasn't that she refused friends.
In truth, the princess longed for them—envied other girls with close companions.
But she was clumsy, twisted.
She misunderstood imperial pride as absolute solitude—creating the unlikable person she was now.
Harsh, ruthless, no warmth.
Even those who tried to flatter her couldn't endure it.
In one phrase:
A girl who never learned to be cute.
While others learned to pout and charm, she trained with her sword every day.
Black turned away, scanning the crowd.
No Jiaye.
Strange.
She was a count's daughter, loved gathering intel—why miss this?
But he didn't dwell on it.
He had more important things to do.
Silently, Black pulled on a black mask—finely crafted, embroidered with bat-like patterns on the sides.
He'd stolen it from some unlucky noble.
Now he looked like a cinematic Batman.
Dressed in black, he began his mission.
Following memorized routes, he moved along the ship's edge, slipping deep into the cabin.
Dragoncleaver Guards patrolled, but he'd studied their schedules and paths—easily avoiding them.
Soon, he reached an unremarkable room—slipped inside.
It was a storage room, piled with dusty junk.
Perfect—no one would notice the hidden passage here.
Yes—the secret tunnel to the empress's chamber was here.
Black quietly moved boxes aside, jumped in, then shoved a large water jar—revealing a dark hole.
Exactly as expected.
Taking a deep breath, he crawled in, lit a candle, and crept forward.
After a while, he reached a fork—two paths.
Thankfully, he remembered the game walkthrough—chose the left.
Five minutes later, another fork.
Ten minutes after that—three paths.
Black thanked his memory.
Otherwise, he'd be lost.
Damn game designers—why make a maze to torment players?!
Sweat-soaked, he finally saw the end—no exit.
Just a wooden panel.
Behind it…
Empress Elizabeth's chamber.
The closer Black got to the panel, the faster his heart pounded.
This wasn't a game—it was reality.
If caught trespassing in the empress's private chamber, he wouldn't just die.
He'd be executed—slowly.
Not devoured by a sea dragon—but flayed alive over three thousand cuts.
Empress Elizabeth was a Swordsman—a Lv.91 Emperor-Tier · Starlight Swordsman.
Her perception was extremely sharp.
She'd sense anyone approaching.
But according to the game, when she was in her chamber, she disabled her perception—to cultivate her high-tier skill [Sword Heart].
And in her mind—no one would be daring enough to enter her private space.
After several deep breaths, Black slowly pushed open the panel.
A sliver of light slipped through.
Using it, he saw the panel led to a wardrobe—just a tiny gap between them.
Black waited, listening—no sounds.
He pressed the back panel of the wardrobe and pushed upward.
Just like in the game—it moved.
Once there was enough space, he slipped into the wardrobe.
But the moment he entered—clothes buried him.
Silk fabrics brushed against his hands, soft and warm.
A faint night-blooming cereus fragrance filled his nose.
He struggled—nearly suffocated—before finally crawling out.
Elizabeth's taste is… unique.
A supreme empress should wear peony or rose—something majestic.
But night-blooming cereus?
That's more suited for a gentle, married woman.
No time to dwell.
Black peered through the wardrobe's crack—surveying the entire chamber.
The room was massive—could fit everyone on the Hodir.
No wonder.
This wasn't just a bedroom—it was a private palace.
Yet the decor was simple: a large bed, wardrobe, desk, low table, and a few chests.
Clearly, Elizabeth valued efficiency.
The desk was piled with documents—neatly stacked.
No sign of Elizabeth.
Where was she?
Perfect timing!
Black decided to act fast.
While she was gone, he'd steal the Violet-Gold Dragonbone, then vanish.
It'd take under a minute.
The risk of getting caught? Minimal.
Hand on the wardrobe door—about to push—footsteps echoed from outside.
He yanked his hand back—heart in his throat.
Holding his breath, he peeked out.
It was Elizabeth—and her aide, Lucy.
F**! What are the odds?!
Elizabeth looked exhausted, as if preparing for a bath.
She spoke quietly with Lucy, then removed her outer robes and sat at the low table.
Lucy picked up a comb, gently brushing the empress's long hair.
Overcome by fatigue, Elizabeth leaned back, eyes closed—dozing off.
She wore only a pale moon-white robe, the collar slipping off one shoulder—revealing a swan-like neck, collarbones like delicate butterfly wings.
The fabric was thin as cicada wings, clinging tightly to her chest—outlining full, tempting curves.
Candlelight cast shifting shadows across her bust.
The sash at her waist hung loose—exposing a sliver of golden skin.
But most intoxicating?
The robe hugged her hips—accentuating a plump, peach-like rear.
As she shifted slightly, the full, round silhouette teased through the sheer fabric—rising and falling with her breath, like a ripe fruit resting on silk.
If that peach were to sit on me…
Such a vision—any man would lose control.
And this was the most exalted empress of the empire.
Do not look! Do not look!
Black immediately stopped fantasizing.
He grabbed a cloth and blindfolded himself—nose already bleeding.
As a virgin, this was too much for him.
After forcing himself to turn away, he reopened his eyes—only to freeze.
The cloth he'd grabbed?
It wasn't ordinary.
Black stared at it—then at Elizabeth—face turning to stone.
He nearly screamed.
It was a black lace undergarment.
Intricate, seductive patterns—delicate cutouts.
He couldn't even imagine how it'd look on a woman.
This was Elizabeth's room.
This was her wardrobe.
So whose underwear was this?
Needless to say.
Red blood streamed from his nose—he couldn't control himself.
Never expected it!
The empire's most dignified empress—so stern in public—had such a wild side in private?!
This was the greatest scandal—one that'd get him executed on the spot!
No…
Black couldn't believe it.
How could anyone have such a huge split personality?
Strict in public, lewd in private?
This only existed in smutty novels!
And the game never mentioned this!
He stared at the lace underwear—then came to a conclusion.
This was new.
Never worn.
It was probably a gift—Elizabeth accepted it, but never intended to wear it.
It had to be!
Otherwise—the empress's entire image would collapse!
Enough!
I'm here for a mission!
After calming down, Black decided to wait until Elizabeth went to bathe.
Then—he'd strike.
So he waited—and waited.
Outside, silence.
Elizabeth seemed asleep.
Lucy continued brushing her hair.
Just as Black was dozing off—the back panel of the bookshelf moved!
!!!
He jolted awake—face pale as a ghost!
He stared in disbelief at the rising panel—heart pounding like a war drum!
Someone else had entered—through the same secret passage!
Who?
Black had never been this terrified.
If he could, he'd nail the panel shut—lock the intruder out.
But that was impossible.
Any noise—both of them would die.
So he could only watch in despair as the panel rose—inch by inch—revealing the intruder's face.
?!
What the hell?! Am I hallucinating?!
Jiaye?!
Why is she here?!
Wasn't she supposed to find this passage in a few days?!
Did I even play the same game?!
Black nearly spat blood.
But Jiaye—though she didn't recognize the masked man as Black—was just as shocked.
Ever since her failed assassination attempt, Jiaye had been on edge.
Black's existence had shattered her control over the novel's The Girl Who Slayed Dragons Longs to Be Loved!
She'd had absolute narrative advantage—until he appeared and rewrote the script.
She hated this anomaly.
She'd been trying to kill him ever since.
But Black was always scrubbing decks—surrounded by Dragoncleaver Guards.
She couldn't get close.
Finally, a golden chance tonight:
Black wasn't on deck.
Krystin was distracted by nobles.
Lucy had been recalled by the empress.
If not now—when?
So Jiaye decided to follow Black—kill him in secret.
But Black walked like a madman—zigzagging, slipping through shadows.
She lost him.
Refusing to give up, she searched—and found the secret passage.
Curiosity took over.
What's inside? Maybe a treasure?
Then—this.
She crawled out—and met a masked stranger.
Her surprise turned into terror.
Like exploring a dark, silent cave—then, around a corner—a bat-faced man stares back.
Anyone would scream.
Jiaye did—but before the sound escaped, Black lunged, hand clamping over her mouth—silencing her.
Dear heavens!
If you scream, I die too!
Black's heart raced.
He didn't understand why Jiaye was here—but no time to think.
He pointed at the room—warning her.
Jiaye peeked—saw the empress—and nearly stopped breathing.
The passage led to the empress's chamber?!
She was a thief now.
A thief in the ruler's private room.
And she wasn't alone.
Another masked thief was right beside her.
Run. Now.
That was the smart choice.
But Jiaye's eyes locked onto the chests in the corner.
They weren't ordinary.
Golden, engraved with royal dragon motifs, studded with priceless rubies.
If the boxes were this valuable—what was inside?
Priceless treasures.
So this masked thief was after them.
Jiaye quickly pieced it together.
Now, two choices:
Flee immediately. Safest.
Wait—steal from the chests when the empress leaves.
Risky—but the bigger the wave, the bigger the fish.
As a transmigrator with a system, Jiaye trusted her luck.
She had backup plans.
Even if caught by the empress—she could escape.
If Black knew her thoughts, he'd sigh: This is what it means to be the protagonist.
So Jiaye chose to wait.
The two thieves sat in silent understanding—motionless, not a sound.
Meanwhile, Lucy finished combing Elizabeth's hair.
But the empress was asleep.
Lucy didn't dare wake her—knelt quietly beside her.
Seeing no sign of them leaving, Black grew anxious.
His position was dangerous.
The longer he stayed, the worse it got.
And now—another variable.
He glanced at Jiaye—understood her in three seconds.
Every protagonist would bet their life on rare treasures.
And they always won—because fate favored them.
Jiaye's profile was cold, elegant.
Her red lips slightly pursed—calm, composed.
No sweat, no panic.
Much better than Black.
He silently applauded this beautiful girl.
But the next second—her calm shattered.
Her face turned stone.
Black frowned—then heard it.
The back panel moved again.
Now it was his turn to freeze.
Face like a statue.
Another intruder?! Who?!
He couldn't believe it!
When did this secret passage become a public road?!
He was a player—he knew Jiaye was the main character, fate-guided.
But who else could possibly be here?!
The two turned—in sync—swallowed hard—staring at the rising panel.
Black suddenly smelled a sharp rose fragrance—strangely familiar.
A face flashed in his mind—Black's lips twitched.
No… please… not her…
The panel rose—inch by inch—revealing the intruder.
The moment he saw her face, Black wanted to scream—This damn game is messing with me!
It was Loyre—her dark red hair flowing, her striking beauty sharp as a blade.
Jiaye recognized her instantly—her mind collapsing just as hard.
This is the pirate captain?!
According to the original novel, she should be in prison!
Jiaye felt a deep unease.
The world's plot was unraveling.
But Loyre's shock was no less than theirs.
Tonight, she'd used the Sorcerer-exclusive skill [Astrology] to calculate her chances of assassinating the empress.
Result?
Almost 50% success.
Compared to the 1–2%—sometimes 0.5%—of previous days, this was extremely high.
Astrology was a divine insight skill.
Its accuracy depended on the caster's level.
For Loyre, it was only a reference.
But she couldn't wait.
The high-tier spell scrolls had been used.
The longer she delayed, the faster her borrowed power would fade.
So she used the Assassin skill [Shadow Step] to escape the Wilton and reach the Hodir.
A skill only unlocked at Dragon-Tier, [Shadow Step] let her become a shadow—moving freely, unseen.
The Dragoncleaver Guards didn't sense her.
Loyre planned to sneak directly into the empress's room.
But the Hodir was massive.
She searched—no luck.
Then—she spotted Black, acting suspiciously.
To her, Black knew her true identity and Jörmungandr's location.
His identity was definitely not ordinary.
So, on impulse, she followed.
Never expecting—Black's movements were too abstract.
Left, right, zigzag—she, an Emperor-Tier Assassin, lost him.
After searching, she found nothing—except a secret passage.
Intuition told her—this is important.
So she entered.
Wound through twists and turns—finally reached the end.
The moment she opened the panel—two strange faces stared back.
A masked man and a noble girl.
Though her power had temporarily skyrocketed, Loyre was still a young girl.
The sudden shock made her eyes widen, mouth open—but Black and Jiaye exchanged a glance—simultaneously clamped hands over her mouth.
Silenced her scream.
But now—awkwardness.
From two staring—three.
Black sighed.
He gestured for silence—moved aside, making space.
Luckily, the empress's wardrobe was huge—three could fit.
They fell into silence.
An awkward tension filled the air.
Black feared his plan was ruined.
Damn game—too many variables!
He didn't know—he was the cause of all this.
Loyre followed their gaze—saw the room—her heart surged with joy.
After long searching, found at last!
By accident, she'd found Elizabeth's chamber—thanks to that traitor, coward, pervert Black.
Though she didn't know the others—as long as they didn't interfere, she didn't care.
She needed one moment—one perfect chance to strike.
"…Lucy, thank you. I'll go bathe now."
Elizabeth awoke from her nap, speaking softly to Lucy.
"At once, Your Majesty."
Lucy, serving the empress for years, knew her duties.
She ordered maids to prepare the bath—then walked toward the wardrobe—to pick nightwear.
Inside the wardrobe, the three hearts leapt into their throats.
No!
If caught now—my Violet-Gold Dragonbone / my priceless treasure / my assassination—ruined!
The same thought raced through their minds.
Jiaye and Black even considered retreating—but held firm.
Don't come here! Don't come here! Don't come here!
They prayed in silence.
But Lucy—among all wardrobes—stopped at this one.
Her hand reached for the handle.
Instantly, Jiaye tensed, eyes sharp—calculating escape.
Thirty-six strategies—retreat is best!
Loyre formed a hand seal—a black dagger materialized—[Stellar Blade], an Emperor-Tier Assassin skill.
One of the highest-tier Assassin techniques—instant kill on Dragon-Tier and below if unguarded.
She planned to kill Lucy first—then strike the empress.
Black reacted too—cold sweat turned to drenching sweat.
He wasn't a protagonist.
No overpowered skills.
Just a Level 10 Pirate.
"That wardrobe's sleepwear doesn't suit me. Pick another."
Elizabeth suddenly spoke—pointing to the next wardrobe.
"Yes."
Lucy released the handle—opened the other wardrobe—pulled out a pink silk nightgown.
"Your Majesty, the bath is ready."
With that, Elizabeth and Lucy left—heading to the adjacent bathroom.
"Phew!"
All three exhaled—tension finally broken.
That was incredibly close.
The goddess of luck favored them.
But the relief was incomplete.
Though they'd just survived together, to Jiaye and Loyre—the others were strangers.
With unknown goals, the air turned tense again.
Black feared they'd fight—one, he'd be caught in the crossfire; two, noise would alert Elizabeth—still death.
"Ahem. Ladies—nice to meet you! Let's shake hands, steal together! No fighting!"
Black whispered, altering his voice so they wouldn't recognize him.
Luckily, both were calm.
Even without him, they wouldn't really fight.
After all—they were on the same ship now.
Black opened the wardrobe door—rushed straight to the treasure chests!
Jiaye felt the same—to survive in this world, she had to grow stronger.
But Loyre didn't move.
She was here to kill, not to steal.
She pressed against the wall, activating the Assassin skill [Eavesdrop]—listening intently to the bathroom next door.
Loyre was waiting—for the perfect moment.
When the empress began her bath—when she relaxed, even dozed off—that would be her weakest point.
The best time to strike.
Meanwhile, Black reached the chest containing the Violet-Gold Dragonbone.
He opened it gently—revealing a spine segment glowing with purple light, etched with golden runes.
No wonder it was an SSS-rarity material—its aura screamed power.
One meter long—too short for fishing—but perfect for fishing dragons.
Black wrapped it in black cloth—hiding its glow.
Everything was going better than expected—all thanks to the empress's arrogance.
She never imagined someone could sneak into her chamber.
So she'd placed no seals or traps on the chests.
Not that she could've known—the game developers had literally hidden a secret passage in her bedroom.
With the dragonbone secured on his back, Black turned to leave—when a blinding light caught his eye.
He followed it—saw the crimson orb in Jiaye's hand.
A vivid red gem, radiating legendary-level prestige—just as valuable as the dragonbone.
This was what Jiaye had taken from another chest.
Black activated his Omniscient Glasses—the gem's info appeared:
[Solaris Orb: A divine relic left by the Sun God—truly priceless.]
Effect: Grants the "Solaris Buff"—+300% damage to all sea dragon species.
Damn!
No wonder she's the protagonist—born lucky!
First pick of the loot—SSS-tier item!
Black seethed with envy.
He knew this Solaris Orb well—it cost 100,000 yuan to obtain in-game—a pay-to-win exclusive!
Back when he was grinding materials, taking hours to kill one dragon, these rich players would just activate the Solaris Orb—and wipe out entire hordes in seconds.
This is protagonist luck?!
He'd stolen the dragonbone meant for her—but she instantly got another overpowered item.
Jiaye, too, had a system cheat.
Knowing the orb's power, she immediately stored it—heart racing with joy.
Just this alone made the life-risking infiltration worth it.
After securing the orb, Jiaye turned to the third chest.
Seeing the masked man show no interest, she relaxed—rushed over and opened it.
Inside—a token.
[Avalon Token: The sacred heirloom of the von Braun family. Traditionally held by each Duke of von Braun.]
Effect: The bearer can summon the Avalon Knights—they will pledge loyalty and serve without question.
?!
Compared to the Solaris Orb, this token shocked Jiaye even more.
In the original novel, the Avalon Knight Order was an elite army—unbreakably loyal.
During the final battle, they'd held off countless elite dragons—helping Elaina win.
With this token, she could command an entire private army.
More valuable than anything.
Black was equally stunned.
He hadn't expected the Avalon Token to be here!
It was a late-game key item—but in the game, it was held by the imperial family.
The player-controlled protagonist, Elaina, never obtained it.
But beyond the effect—what shocked Black more was the description:
"Sacred heirloom of the von Braun family."
Von Braun—that was Loyre's family.
Her father was the deceased Duke von Braun.
Her real name? Karin von Braun.
A terrible thought struck Black.
If Loyre sees this… we're doomed.
He turned to look at her—but it was too late.
Loyre had already noticed the token in Jiaye's hand.
Worst-case scenario—activated.
Loyre instantly teleported in front of Jiaye—eyes blazing with emotion as she stared at the token.
Jiaye jumped—instinctively thinking she was here to steal.
She shoved the token behind her back.
"It belongs to my father—my family's sacred relic. Return it."
Loyre's voice trembled with fury.
Jiaye frowned—distrustful.
In the novel, the von Braun family was wiped out early.
No significant plot role.
Was this woman impersonating them—just to steal the token?
F**! We're so dead!*
Black's head spun—two disasters colliding.
These two would fight—and he couldn't stop them!
How could he say "Don't fight!" without getting slapped into oblivion?
"Boom!"
Seeing Jiaye refuse, Loyre lost control.
Thick, near-physical killing intent surged from her body.
With a flick of her wrist, a black barrier enveloped the room—cutting off all external senses.
Then—she released the full pressure of her Emperor-Tier Assassin aura—directed at Jiaye!
Instantly—every object around Jiaye shattered into dust!
Caught off guard, Jiaye spat blood—as if crushed by a ten-thousand-pound iron hammer.
She dropped to one knee—her kneecap punching through the floor!
Shock flooded her eyes.
During the White Pearl's attack, this pirate captain was only a Lv.40 Mid-Tier Sorceress!
Now—this terrifying leap in power? Even her class had changed!
"Give it back."
Loyre wasn't a murderer.
If Jiaye returned it—she wouldn't harm her.
Jiaye, as a protagonist, knew how to read the room.
She wasn't some fool who'd die for treasure.
This stranger was insanely strong—refusing meant death.
But just as she decided to surrender—her system panel popped up.
[Quest Updated: Keep the Avalon Token from the Emperor-Tier Assassin—and escape alive.]
Reward: One 6-Star Spell Scroll
Punishment: Death
Jiaye's pupils contracted violently.
Her face twisted in horror.
But she knew—the system was serious.
Rewards and punishments were real.
She'd tested it after transmigrating.
Failures brought consequences.
Once, she'd been poisoned—agony beyond words.
Now—death.
The stakes were clear.
Her situation was critical.
Return the token—quest fails—she dies instantly.
Keep it—this Emperor-Tier Assassin might smash her to death.
Either way—death.
Jiaye's mind raced—face pale—before making her choice.
Failure meant certain death—no escape.
But facing the assassin—low survival odds, yet with her hidden trump cards, a sliver of hope remained.
"…I'm sorry. It's mine."
Jiaye forced out the words—voice strained.
"You're asking for death."
Loyre almost laughed—enraged.
Who dared defy an Emperor-Tier Assassin?
And this was her family's heirloom!
Black sweated profusely.
Loyre was only temporarily Emperor-Tier—peak Dragon-Tier at best.
Still—far stronger than Jiaye.
That aura alone—any Mid-Tier Sorcerer would've exploded into mist.
Only Jiaye could resist.
But no matter what, Jiaye couldn't die here.
She was the protagonist—dozens of key plots depended on her.
And worse—if they fought at full scale, Elizabeth in the next room would definitely notice.
Then—total disaster.
"I'm saying—can you two fight outside? This is the empress's chamber! If we're caught, we all die!"
"Come on, for my sake—can you just stop?!"
Black couldn't physically interfere—he could only talk.
And pray they listened.
His words had some effect—at least both Loyre and Jiaye glanced at him.
But seeing her family's heirloom, Loyre's mind flooded with memories of that night.
Her father. Mother. Sister. Uncle. Master.
Everyone she loved—dead.
Bodies everywhere. Blood on the walls.
The killer laughing.
And she—hiding under a bed, too afraid to breathe.
That blood-soaked hatred consumed her.
She wasn't here for treasure.
She was here for revenge—and to reclaim what was hers.
Tonight, no one would stop her.
Seeing the bloodlust in Loyre's eyes, Black immediately regretted speaking.
The next second—Loyre reached out.
"Thud!"
A massive force slammed him into the wall—nearly breaking through!
Black's vision blurred—his bones felt shattered.
Blood surged from his mouth—uncontrollable.
Even at half-strength, a Level 91 vs Level 10 clash was no joke.
Pain.
Extreme pain.
This was the second time he'd nearly died.
He couldn't pass out—or everything would spiral out of control!
But agony and exhaustion paralyzed him—only able to watch as the two girls faced off.
"Tch."
Jiaye spat out blood—her gaze turning sharp, locking onto Loyre.
This woman was at least Dragon-Tier—could crush her effortlessly.
Yet she wouldn't surrender.
She wasn't here to fight head-on—she was here to escape.
The token was on her.
If she avoided this madwoman and fled the chamber—it was hers.
To avoid recognition, she pulled out a handkerchief—covering her face like a veil.
Her system-granted class [Dragonrider] had a perfect escape skill.
Even an Emperor-Tier Assassin would struggle to catch her.
[Divine Flash!]
With a thought, she vanished—reappearing five meters away.
Free from Loyre's pressure, she dashed for the door!
"..."
Loyre's expression darkened—not expecting this noble girl to have such power.
Still—she didn't believe Jiaye could escape.
Just as Jiaye reached the exit—Loyre snapped her fingers.
A spear materialized—hurled with terrifying force.
[Divine Flash!]
Jiaye reacted instantly—teleported back inside.
The next moment—BOOM!
The entire door—and surrounding frame—exploded into rubble!
Wood splinters rained down—blocking the exit.
One path—gone.
Loyre's ruthlessness was clear.
She'd trapped Jiaye—nowhere to run.
Problem.
Jiaye clenched her teeth—nerves on edge.
She had to watch Loyre—flash at the perfect moment.
One second too slow—and she'd die.
But Jiaye underestimated an Emperor-Tier Assassin.
Loyre activated [Shadow Step]—vanishing like a ghost.
As someone who'd read the novel, Jiaye knew this high-tier skill was terrifying.
But facing it in person? The oppressive dread was indescribable.
Gone.
Completely gone.
No matter how sharp her eyes, she couldn't find Loyre.
Sweat dripped down her cheek.
She felt like a snake's prey—death approaching, but invisible.
Her heart pounded—aware of its own end.
Then—a blade materialized from behind her blind spot—aimed at her neck!
The image of decapitation flashed in her mind!
"Clang!"
A sharp clang rang out.
The [Stellar Blade] stopped—one centimeter from her neck.
A thin silver barrier covered Jiaye—blocking the attack.
"How… is this possible?!"
This defied all of Loyre's expectations.
An Emperor-Tier Assassin—using a high-tier skill—should've pierced stone walls.
Yet a noble girl, a mere Lv.40 Mid-Tier Sorceress, blocked it?!
Loyre's face twisted—more furious than ever.
She wanted to scream: "Why?!"
Why did she endure countless trials—find ancient scrolls—ignore the backlash—to force her power to Emperor-Tier?
She paid everything—so much—yet can't even kill a lowly sorceress?!
WHY?!
"Pant… pant…"
Jiaye stared at the blade—barely an inch from death—gasping for air.
*One second slower—*she'd be gone.
Thankfully—she'd activated her last resort: [Silver Sanctuary].
A System-gifted S-rarity item after completing her beginner quest.
[Silver Sanctuary: An S-rarity shield. May the Silver Deity grant you protection.]
Effect: Grants immunity to ten attacks—regardless of level.
Meanwhile, Black took a long time to recover—just enough strength to move.
This scene? Within expectations.
A fate-blessed protagonist was fate-blessed for a reason—ridiculous luck.
Like in most wish-fulfillment novels—no matter how strong the enemy (emperors, gods, ancient clans), no matter how overpowered their setup—when they meet the main character, they fail.
The MC might be weak—but miracles happen.
Unexpected moves.
Last-second rescues by hidden sages.
Jiaye was the perfect example.
[Divine Flash]—to players—was just a basic dodge skill.
Sure, the name sounded epic—but it was just a dodge button.
Press it at the right time—invincibility frames activate.
Any RPG player knew this well.
Skilled players used it for insane plays—like clearing the final boss at Level 1 without taking damage.
But to in-game characters?
It was a broken cheat code.
In the game's lore, Jiaye had exceptional talent for [Divine Flash]—so much so that it was nearly infinite teleportation in her hands.
And [Silver Sanctuary]? Black knew it well.
It was a starter reward—one of Jiaye's key early-game trump cards.
So this stalemate between two fighters with such a level gap?
It wasn't that Loyre was weak or misusing Emperor-Tier power.
It was because Jiaye was just too broken!
Put anyone else up there—one slap, and they'd be paste on the wall.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Despite failing, Loyre didn't back down.
In a blink, she thrust three more strikes.
Each strike was simple—no flashy light, no roaring sound.
Only faint starlight—and mountain-crushing sword qi.
A single hit could kill any class below Dragon-Tier.
But against Jiaye's silver barrier?
Only ripples—like wind over water.
Repeated failure fueled Loyre's rage.
She knew this noble girl was special—but so what?
The Avalon Token wasn't just an artifact.
It was her family's last heirloom—her father's most treasured possession.
It wasn't just about commanding an army.
It was about the von Braun family's honor, their legacy.
As the last bloodline of von Braun—she refused to let it fall into enemy hands again.
"Thousand Nights' Dominion · Shadow Prison!"
A roar erupted from Loyre.
At those eight words, both Jiaye and Black turned pale.
One—a novel reader.
The other—a game player.
They knew that name.
This wasn't a normal Assassin skill.
It was a Divine Edict.
Yes—the ultimate technique of any class.
The Emperor-Tier Assassin's Divine Edict: [Thousand Nights' Dominion · Shadow Prison].
The pinnacle of all Assassin techniques.
Legend said that Grime, one of the Twelve Sages, used this very edict to slaughter over ten thousand dragons in one night—and crippled Ishthar, the Sand Dragon King.
Even if Loyre was a fake Emperor-Tier Assassin—once this edict activated, no one could stop her.
[Thousand Nights' Dominion · Shadow Prison: Unleash a 1-kilometer dark domain. All light vanishes. Sound is silenced. Time slows by 1000%. The caster's attack, defense, speed, crit rate, and dark-element damage increase by 1000% for 60 seconds.]
Black's Omniscient Glasses displayed the full details.
He gulped.
If Loyre succeeded—the entire Hodir would be swallowed by the domain!
Then—no one could stop her.
She could slaughter everyone on board—effortlessly.
Even if Jiaye was the protagonist—Black doubted she could survive.
"This woman's insane!"
Jiaye cursed.
She could tell Loyre's Emperor-Tier power was artificial.
She didn't believe she could actually activate the Divine Edict.
But still—a terrible feeling gripped her.
She wanted to flash away—but the edict had already locked onto her position.
She couldn't move.
Only hope—Silver Sanctuary's insane defense.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Blinding black light radiated from Loyre—shattering every object in the room!
The edict hadn't even fully activated—yet its power was terrifying.
The shockwave reached Black in an instant.
He spat blood—then slammed into the wall—punching through it, flying into the next room!
Even the barrier blocking external senses shattered under his impact.
"Splash!"
Just as Black thought he'd die from the fall—he landed in a pool.
Warm water surrounded him—soothing his pain.
Hot water? Why is there hot water?
Groggy, he held his breath—about to surface—when he saw a silhouette at the pool's edge.
Oh no.
This wasn't a pool.
It was the bathroom next door.
And right now—Empress Elizabeth was bathing here.
F***
Black screamed internally.
Out of the frying pan—into the fire!
The massive disturbance had already woken Elizabeth.
Instantly, her expression turned icy.
The gentle aura from moments ago? Gone.
Now—she was the ruler of the empire.
Her presence exploded.
The calm bathwater erupted, waves crashing violently.
A pressure far stronger than Loyre's swept across the Hodir.
The peak of an Emperor-Tier Starlight Swordsman.
One of the strongest humans alive.
Elizabeth's perception spread—instantly grasping the situation.
During her meditation, three people had invaded her chamber.
One—in the bath. Male. Level 10. Insignificant as an ant.
Two—fighting in her bedroom. One, a Level 40 Sorceress. The other—an Emperor-Tier Assassin?!
Elizabeth's brow furrowed.
How could there be an Emperor-Tier Assassin on the Hodir?
That was peak human power.
The few she knew were nowhere near the sea.
And none were female.
When did such a prodigy appear?
Her perception probed deeper—understanding:
This Assassin's power was hollow—forced by external means.
Not true Emperor-Tier.
Peak Dragon-Tier at best.
Judging by her state—was she trying to activate a Divine Edict?
Against a mere Level 40 Sorceress?
Needing a top-tier Divine Edict?
Unbelievable—but irrelevant.
She didn't care to understand them.
Her face cold, indifferent—her judgment simple.
Death.
She raised her hand—a white longsword flew into it.
The blade—slender, forged like ice—glowed with dark gold patterns.
Ancient runes etched along the spine—faint dragon roars echoing.
Calm, unhurried, she stepped toward Black's location.
Naked—completely bare—unconcerned about being seen.
To her, a dying man wasn't worth hiding from.
If he was already dead—why care about his gaze?
Black finally surfaced—gasping for air.
He knew the empress had found him.
No point holding his breath.
Better to plead, bargain, lie.
But when he looked at Elizabeth—his voice vanished.
His blood surged—racing to his head.